Team USA Advances to Pan Am Cup Semis with Sweep Over Dominican Republic

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -
The U.S. Men's A2 Volleyball Team advanced to the semifinals of the 2010 Pan American Cup after sweeping Dominican Republic, 25-14, 25-18, 25-18 on Thursday at Roberto Clemente Coliseum. UCSB head coach Rick McLaughlin is at the helm of the U.S. squad in Puerto Rico.

Team USA will face Brazil in one of Friday's semifinal matches.

The winners had the advantage in blocking (9-4) and also in the service aces category (7-3).

Jayson Jablonski led USA with 12 points, Robert Tarr added 11, including three blocks and two aces, and Carson Clark contributed nine points. Dominican Jose Caceres led Dominican Republic with 11 points.

"These two teams have played each other many times and it was a good battle," McLaughlin said. "We started well and kept it going with good serves. The Dominican coach does a good job with his talented team."

"The Americans were the superior team by far," Dominican Coach Jacinto Campechano said. "They dictated the game with their serves and didn't let us play. We need to be more consistent but to get that we also need to play more international matches."

It was the first sweep for the U.S., which is now 3-0 at this year's Pan Am Cup. USA entered the tourney as the two-time defending champion. McLaughlin coached the team to the 2009 title in Mexico.